Lot Essay
An old newspaper clipping affixed to one cover refers to the Edson Blair collection sold at Christie's "between the Wars" and a label on the base reads FROM THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT/FINE CHINESE COLLECTION/EDSON B...R, ESQ./RECEIVED FROM/NEW YORK. A letter dated 24 December 1935 and kept within is from Allen J. Mercher to a Mrs. Mitchell of Plandome, Long Island, describing the vases, apparently a Christmas present from Mr. Mitchell, and ending "You are fortunate in starting your collection..with these three beautiful K'ang-H'si jars..." On other covers a label urging "fond caution" in handling the vases is inscribed W.F. Mitchell, Larchmont, New York, 1963.